Visitor guidelines

Learn more about Skmaqn—Port-la-Joye—Fort Amherst National Historic Site guidelines and regulations currently in place. 

To review safety guidelines and learn about current prohibitions, please visit: Visitor safety.

On this page:

• Use of Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV) / Drone
• Pets in Buildings
• Feeding Wildlife
• Protecting Natural Resources
• Metal detecting

Use of Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV) / Drone

In Canada’s national parks and historic sites, the landing and take-off of an unmanned air vehicle (UAV) – also known as a drone – is prohibited pursuant to section 29(a) and 29 (b) of the National Historic Parks General Regulations. The minimum fine for a violation of this prohibition is $550. Learn more about drone regulations at Parks Canada-PEI.

Pets in Buildings

Domestic animals are prohibited from entering all shelters and washrooms at Parks Canada-administered places, pursuant to section 12(a) of the National Historic Parks Wildlife and Domestic Animal Regulations. The minimum fine for a violation of this prohibition is $100.  

Feeding Wildlife

It is illegal to feed, entice, or disturb any animal in Parks Canada-administered places. Although perceived by many as an act of kindness, humans feeding wildlife can lead to increased rates of wildlife mortality. Animals fed along the road side become dependent on humans for food and lose their natural instinct to hunt. All too often, wildlife fed along roadsides become injured or killed by vehicles. Pursuant to section 4(d) of the National Historic Parks Wildlife and Domestic Animal Regulations, feeding wildlife is prohibited. The minimum fine is $350.

Protecting Natural Resources

Parks Canada-PEI protects all the natural elements that make up its ecosystem. To enable all visitors to fully enjoy the site, its scenery and natural beauty, it is important to leave nature untouched and to refrain from picking flowers or taking unusually shaped rocks or patterned shells. In this way, visitors will be able to admire, identify or photograph them in their natural environment. Pursuant to section 4(1) of the National Historic Parks General Regulations, the removal of natural objects is prohibited.  The minimum fine is $350.

Metal detecting in Skmaqn—Port-la-Joye—Fort Amherst National Historic Site

Pursuant to section 12(1) of the National Historic Parks General Regulations, the use of metal detectors is a prohibited activity at Skmaqn-Port-La-Joye-Fort Amherst National Historic Site and Ardgowan National Historic Site until further notice. Anyone found violating this prohibition may be prosecuted under section 12(5) of the National Historic Parks General Regulations. The minimum fine for violation of this prohibition is $250.